The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-02-17
Washington letter.
From our regular correspondent

i1lll was the freSlden'S veto one OF
the most reckless specimens of legisla-
ton that was every presented to any
Congress 1.-THE Universal Pension
bill" Not that his action was a sur
prise to those who have watched his
course in regard to pension matters,
for he has shown, on several occasions
already that he has the courage to do
his duty. But, as Representative
Springer said, no man ever filled the
office Of President before Mr. Cleye-
land, who would have had the bold
ness to veto such a bill which had
passed both Houses Of Congress by
mole than two-thirdes majority, and |
which had so powerful a sentiment at
the back of it.
Echoes of congratulation have been
coming back to the President from
all parts OF the country, and he has
heard plenty OF censure from the mere
partisans who have learned to regard
the war as their personal legacy. But
he will have the praise, approval and
gratitude of the great mass of the peo-
pie OF all sections, the taX-paying civ
ilization and the honest veteran, of
all true patriots both OF the North
and South,
The reading of the Presidents mes
sage explaining his reasons for the We
to commanded close attention from
the House of Representatives. Many
Congressman are now unable to say
what their future action will be until
they have heard from their constit-
uents. 1t is thought, however, that
the bill could not be passed oyer the
veto, for many members who voted
for it have been surprised since at the
condemnation itreceived from people
among all parties
Should this remarkable pension bill
become law, it would give a pension
to every ex-Union soldier who can not
earn the sort OF living he would like
in other words, to every man who was
in the Federal army and is yet alive
1t would give pension to every
drunkard and shifJless loafer who was
IN the army for ninety days, even if
his disability is due solely to his own
voices. 1t would give a premium to
mendicancy and indolance, for nothing
conyinces man that he is unable to
work like showing him that he can
live without it.
And then think OF the millions al
ter millions of the peoples money that
such bill would waste. 1t would
! double the pension burden of the
United States, making it $l50,000,00C
= a year 1t would make the roll call
} of pensioners larger than the Federal
army ever was and four times as large
as the whole standing army of En-
5 gland
8 The Republican members Of Con
| gress have made but little comment
upon the subject The veto message
seems to have taken their breath
Q Rep. Stalnecker, OF n. Y, thinks thu
message is the ablest state paper 0
: Mr.. Cleveland's term. Said he, |
: takes up the bill, section by section
!. and just tears it to tatters, In stat
s ing his reasons for the veto, he ha
| built fort around him which it vii
+ be pretty difficult to storm.
n A western congressman, who wa
) speaking of the Presidents courag
t said, "my admiration for him was new
l. er great until now. He has turned
J. his face against a sentiment before
which all parties have bowed, and i
he is sustained by Congress, this in
cident may be the turning point of
e popular reaction against the abuse O
the whole pension business"
Another enthusiast over the Pres
dents pluck said, at is the creates
and the best thing that Cleveland ey
er did. 1t required just such a ma
as he to put u firm foot down agains
system of legislation which threat
ened to swamp this Government.
. Representative Oates Of Alabama, re
marked that this veto would make tn
: South solid again.
Indeed there was no limit to thi
. pension business and there appeare
y to be nobody with courage enough t
say where it should stop. OF cours
: the President has not fixed final limi
- to this kind of pernicious Legislation
but he has shown himself equal to tn
situation. He has drawn the after
ton OF the country to che abuse i
such way that the people who pa
the taxes will begin to think it over,
~ II he had signed this Pauper Pei
y sion bill, he would doubtless hav
- been called upon during the termtosig
. supplementary bill--a bill pension
ie ing all men who wanted to enlist
IL the:Federal army, but VINO were phi,
X sically unable or were needed at hem
W by dependent frmiles. Why moi
= Ii all men who enlisted, and who wan